THE SNP’s depute leader says a new independence referendum should take place late next year if it’s safe to do so.
Speaking ahead of his party’s three-day conference this weekend, Keith Brown pledged that a new vote on independence will be “the centrepiece of our manifesto”.
After SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said the party “must” prepare for a new independence vote in 2021, Brown spoke on the timing of a future ballot.
It comes amid heightened support for independence, with 14 consecutive polls putting Yes in the lead.
But with the continuing Covid-19 pandemic, activists have been largely unable to get out campaigning.
READ MORE: Forbes: Indyref2 will be 'internationally recognised' and held 'after pandemic'
Brown said: “I want to see the referendum held at a point when we can get the best advantage, obviously, for the Yes side, and that will be when we get people out on the streets actually campaigning.”
Asked by the Daily Record if the ballot should take place in 2021, the MSP replied: “If it's safe, then that's when we should do it.”
However, he added: “I think the Electoral Commission, though, have said that any referendum should have a period of six months campaigning in advance of it, so that gives you a very tight window in May, and that would require everything to go extremely smoothly with the vaccine.”
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes also spoke ahead of conference this morning, saying a new vote should take place “after the pandemic”.
The minister rejected claims that the SNP Government would “push for an advisory referendum” if the Prime Minister rejected a Section 30 order.
She said: “Well any referendum has to be legally recognised and internationally recognised, so that answers that question.”
She added: “Every time the UK Government says no to another independence referendum - which is so clearly against the settled will of the people of Scotland - all they do is boost support for independence.
“So their position, Boris Johnson's position is unsustainable.”
Forbes said she hoped the vote would come in the “first part of the next parliament".
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